by Avi
If there's one thing The South Orange River (S.O.R.) School is famous for, it's winning. All that might change, though, when the school forms a new soccer team made up entirely of seventh-grade “non-jocks"…against their will! The eleven members first intend to sabotage their team, but with the support of their parents, teachers, and eventually the whole school, they realize that victory can be achieved on and off the field.

Taking Sides
by Gary Soto
Lincoln's parents have made him move to a new school where the students are mostly rich and mostly white, and he's not happy about it. He finds solace by playing on the school's basketball team, but when the time comes to play his old friends from the barrio, he finds himself torn between his new team and his old friends.

Fiery Fullback
by Clair Bee, Michael Clair Farley
All-American Chip Hilton is looking forward to his final year playing football for State University, and feels nothing can stand in his way of winning a national championship. Chip's feelings change when he's confronted with the new freshman fullback Greg Hansen. Hansen is unfriendly, destructive, and determined to prove he is can outplay Chip. It's not until Chip gets to know Greg that he gains an understanding of the troubled youth and the true meaning of the word “teammates."

Tangerine
by Edward Bloor
Twelve-year-old Paul is nearly blind, not very popular at school, and has lived in the shadow of his football hero brother Erik since he can remember. Paul wants to make a name for himself by playing soccer, and in the process gains his own identity.

Cry Baby
by Phyllis Karas
Everyone knows Sam would be a great tennis player, including her family and her whole school. The only problem is, Sam wants to play lacrosse. She knows if she doesn't follow in the family footsteps, her mother would be crushed. Sam must deal with the conflict between tradition and individuality in this coming-of-age tale.

Sliding into Home
by Dori Butler
Joelle is passionate about anything and everything baseball. When she moves to a new town with her family, she is shocked to discover there are strict rules that prevent girls from joining the school team. Joelle must rely on her smarts, determination, and a few friends as she fights for her right to play the sport she loves.

Three on Three
by Eric Walters
Nick and Kia are huge basketball fans and live to play. They have a plan to win a big three-on-three tournament, but they still need a third team member. They soon discover that while winning the game may be tough, making a new friend is even tougher.

5K Runner
by Jim Stevenson

Non-Fiction

Ultimate Sports: Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults

by Donald R. Gallo (Editor)
A collection of 16 original stories featuring young adults playing basketball and football, running track and cross-country, and training for the triathlon. Challenges abound in water sports, racquetball and tennis, boxing and wrestling, and the "ultimate" sport of the future.

Amazing But True Sports Stories
by Phyllis Hollander, Zander Hollander
This book chronicles 87 of the most amazing true stories in sports history. Dealing with a variety of sports, it proves that no matter what, there's always a chance that something amazing will happen.

Magnificent Seven: The Authorized Story of American Gold
by Nancy H. Kleinbaum, Chow Amy, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, Dominique Moceanu
Who could forget the gold medal winning Magnificent Seven of the 1996 Olympic Women's Gymnastics team? This book recounts the experience and glory and gives you an inside look at the lives of Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps, and Kerri Strug.